Alisa and Jonathan- 4 years and The Sweet Life in Wine Country

Chico, California is where our friendship began. She lived in the apartment below me and we have been best friends pretty much since the day we met. Some of my fondest memories are speed walking on hot summer nights with our hot pink, slightly geriatric 2lb arm weights that we would hide behind or backs when we walked past the fraternity houses. We shopped at Wet Seal (seriously) , and carefully planned what we would wear to Joe's Bar. I helped her celebrate her 21st birthday, a rite of passage in a college town.  We spent 9-11  together glued to the TV, watching in horror and we were driving through the pineapple fields in Hawaii celebrating our college graduation when my Dad called and told us the USA declared war on Iraq. I will remember those moments forever.

 There is something about that time in my life that is magical. If you can call having no money and making incredibly poor choices in men magical.... We did it though. We lived it up. I have no regrets ( okay maybe a few, but let's just pretend okay). There were times we could finish each others sentences, and even today when we Instant Message there are at least a couple times a day when we type the exact same thing at the same time. I could probably go my whole life and not find another friend like her. I wish everyone had an "Alisa". I am so lucky to have her. She knows who I am, with all of my faults....and loves me anyway. No judging, just a kind ear and an open heart.

She is beautiful. Inside and out, upside down and inside out. See for yourself.

It feels like just yesterday she was planning her wedding. Wine cork place cards, green hydrangeas, white peonies, fresh lemons. It was perfect, romantic, and everything she dreamed of. Standing beside her as her Maid of Honor, there was no place I would have rather been.  Jonathan completed her story, and opened the chapter to the next part of her life. My only requirement for her husband was that he makes her happy, and he sure does. There's nothing more I could wish for her than this. Happy 4 year Anniversary!

Alisa and Jonathan recently moved to wine country. There house is on a vineyard and it suits them perfectly. They even have chickens!!!! It's pretty much a photographers dream. Thankfully they were kind enough to indulge in my vineyard photo shoot fantasy. Thanks for indulging me. These photos make me so happy.

I know I'm going to hear about this post tomorrow. You see, Alisa doesn't always recognize  just how beautiful she really is. There WILL be at least eight pictures she doesn't like (it's probably not her "good side"),  but I see it. She's stunning, and she's got a wonderful husband who loves her more than anything. What could be more beautiful than that? Plus, don't worry Alisa, the only people who read this blog are you and my Mom anyway. Hi Mom!! :)

Wishing you two many, many more years of love and happiness. I love being a part of your life together.

Love ,

Shea

p.s. Jonathan can really COOK!! This is his bruschetta on his homemade bread. Yeah, I know..... awesome.

Courtney & Adam.....7-9-11

Courtney and Adam are one of the sweetest couples I have ever photographed. From the first time I met Courtney, I knew she was one of those deep down to the core sweethearts, and I was right. She and Adam met while working at Home Depot. Different departments, but I'm sure they managed to run into one another on a regular basis. SO cute...I can just picture them in their orange aprons.

In three days, Courtney will walk down the aisle at their family ranch to become Mrs. Alcoser. I can not wait to see her glow in that white dress, because I know she will rock it OUT! My hopes are to capture the day in a way that genuinely represents their love and their home. Until then, I will leave you with a few pictures.....

May they always walk hand-in hand.....in love.

Love,
Shea

Mckenzie & Preston

Their mama is my oldest, dearest friend. I can count on one hand (okay, maybe two) the number of ladies I can call my friends, but there is something really special about the person who I went through all of my "firsts" with, and the fact that I can still call her one of my best friends is something I hold very close to my heart.

Jenny was the first person I saw after I passed my driving test, and most likely my first brave passenger! We shared a limo to the homecoming dance and had sleep-overs the night before the first day of school, ensuring we would find the perfect outfit the night before.  I was with her the night she met her husband, and danced with them at their wedding as Jenny's Maid of Honor. We were there for one another through boyfriends, bad break-ups, broken down cars, too many cocktails (hello tequila) and now her babies....those beautiful babies. Loving those babies is so easy. Not only because they are beautiful, and they really are, but mostly because they are a part of someone so special.

Mckenzie is an absolute doll, and very sweet unless you take her too far from her mama. She loves her something fierce, and doesn't dare let Jenny put her down to get things done during the day. Mckenzie's Dad can make her smile HUGE, and she adores her big brother. It's just about one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. My bet is as soon as she can walk, she will be following him everywhere (whether he likes it or not).

 

Preston is their first baby. The one who made Jen a mama for the first time and he is something special. He speaks with a vocabulary far beyond his years, and his knowledge of the states, their capitals and the faces on American currency puts me to shame. What a little stinker! I'll forgive him since he's so darn cute ;).

Jen and Aaron, you are rock stars as parents and your kids are wonderful. I can't wait to see them grow.....

Love, Shea

Matt & Christa- The Long Summer

There are a lot of great things I could say about Christa.  She has a love for dogs, and people, and she is the first person to offer help. Drinker of wine, lover of music, she always seems to make me smile when I'm around her. She's a wonderful person, and oh so sweet to my Mom which makes my heart smile.Thank you New York for letting us borrow her , even though she is spending the next three months in Pennsylvania for work. We miss her, my brother most of all. Lucky for us he let us capture a few photos before Christa had to leave for a very long summer apart.

Matthew is my little brother. He is a police officer and a United States Marine, which explains many of his serious faces. He's not pretending, or posing (trust me, he couldn't if he wanted to).  I though of so many things I could share about him and to be honest I'm not sure how deep to dig, or how personal to get since this blogging thing is new to me. What I will say is he drives me crazy, never calls me back, is impossible to communicate with, won't share any of his police stories with me.....and I love him. The sacrifices he has made for our country never cease to amaze me and he works incredibly hard at whatever he does. Keep catching those bad guys Matt. I'm proud of you. Next time I promise we will shoot somewhere without so many bugs! ;)

*he thought he was being funny with this pose, but it was my favorite.

Capturing Matt's smile in a photo is about as likely as capturing a shooting star. He must really love her, and I don't blame him.

Love,

Shea

Francesca- 3 Months

It was a short visit, but I can still taste the coconut pineapple cake and pasta rolls. Francesca's Nona, Dorina is a fantastic Italian cook, and every time Francesca's mama ( my friend Karleigh) is in town, I get the pleasure of having dinner with them. I always make sure I have plenty of room in my belly when I get there...if you know what I mean. ;) Nothing short of delicious every single time.

I just snapped a few pictures of sweet Francesca. She's grown SO much in the past three months and I couldn't have imagined she'd get any cuter than she was at 5 days old, but well...she did! Just take a look:

The outfit was perfect. She is the sweetest little ice cream cone indeed, although I like to call her "hambone".

Goodnight sweetness...see you in August!

Love,

Shea

Owen

He is calm, and calculated, wise and careful. Patient, and sweet, he loves his parents and observes everything everyone is doing. I believe he's going to be someone great, and can't wait to see him grow!

Owen made a little noise so his mom would know to come get him, and he couldn't have been happier to see her when she walked in. He is pure love and sweetness.

He was dressed in his birthday outfit (baby designer jeans included) and I could tell his mama was completely in love with him as she got Owen dressed. His eyes tell a story and he saves his smiles for when he really means it. I like that.

It was a happy day, spent with good friends and family. After all, this party is as much for the parents as it is for Owen. They made it through their first year with their first baby, and it doesn't get much better than that!

Happy Birthday sweet Owen. Here's to at least 99 more!

Tami and Rob, well done. You are doing an amazing job as parents, and you make gorgeous babies. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this very special day.

Love,
Shea